Durham in Contract Year With Sox

Published 8:00 pm, Sunday, February 17, 2002

Ray Durham checked in early to spring training camp Monday, getting ready for what could be his final season with the Chicago White Sox. Or maybe not.

Durham, whose $20 million, four-year contract expires after this season, said his uncertain future would not be a distraction and that he would prefer to stay with the team that drafted him in 1990.

"I definitely want to finish my career here and I will do everything physically possible to make that happen," Durham said.

The White Sox acquired a potential replacement when they traded outfielder Chris Singleton to the Baltimore Orioles for Willie Harris, a promising young second baseman.

"In case I don't stay, it's their insurance policy," said Durham, who broke in with the White Sox in 1995. "I'm not looking at it any other way. I still think it's my job to lose. It's ultimately up to me."

Durham said he discussed the contract situation over the winter with his agent and will let him handle negotiations if there are any.

"I'm not going to worry about it, just go out and play," said Durham, adding that if the White Sox didn't come to him with an extension offer, he would not be shy to approach them.

Durham, an All-Star in 1998 and 2000, batted .267 last season, his lowest average since his rookie season, and his on-base percentage was .337. But he did set career highs in doubles (42), triples (10), homers (20) and extra-base hits (72).

And this season he'll have an opportunity to drive in more runs because he's going to be dropped from leadoff hitter to No. 2 with the acquisition of Kenny Lofton.

And manager Jerry Manuel said Monday he might experiment with Durham batting third and Frank Thomas fourth. During a stint as the No. 3 hitter last year, Durham batted .299 in 97 at-bats.

"I felt I had a pretty good year," Durham, 30, said. "I had career highs in a lot of categories and defensively I cut down on the errors (10). The thing I have to work on is on-base percentage and learn how to bunt again."

Durham will make $6.3 million this season, a $500,000 bump over the original deal because he had more than 615 plate appearances last season.

Manuel admits that Durham is one of his favorite players and that he looks for ways to motivate him.

"I like to push those guys I favor. Ray's been an All-Star and I want him to get back to that level," Manuel said.

"If Ray uses this particular (contract) situation as motivation, he can do what he wants to do."